SSD hearing judge to disabled vet: "Smoke the wacky tobaccy."

The horse's mouth | 11/30/2015 | HiTech RedNeck

[HiTech RedNeck]

By way of preamble, I know a lot of you folks are more or less down on the SSD program. Either that it's being abused or it shouldn't exist.

That being said, a Marine buddy of mine whose attorneys expected him to have a slam dunk SSD case (multiple back injuries with multiple medical documentation) went into a Chicago courtroom this morning and left it wondering where Kansas went, so to speak. He got grilled and scoffed at and was told to go to a clinic where they do "wacky tobaccy." Federal judge, mind you, and this was all on tape.

Whatever the merit or not of the program, somehow it seems to me this is a lousy way to administer it. And that this judge was way out of line to push marijuana on my buddy. I do not object to people who WANT it for medical reasons, but neither should people go about claiming it is an unadulterated miracle that everyone with an ache or pain should be using. And especially not a judge of a jurisdiction that still officially bans the stuff.

Reactions? Fit to print, or otherwise....

[2ndDivisionVet]

Appointed by Barack Obama I assume?

[HiTech RedNeck]

I’ll see if I can get a name...

[Talisker]

Seems like appeal material.

[max americana]

That’s what reggie love told Buttcrack in the bathtub...

[Fast Ed97]

I know the Judges there real well. Which hearing office in Chicago was it? Also, ALJ’s are not appointed by the President.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Water seems like it’s wet... oh, if it were impeach material too.

[HiTech RedNeck]

How are these designated? (It was downtown)

[smoothsailing]

I hope the attorneys appeal.
I also hope they do it pro bono.
Best of luck to your buddy.

[Fast Ed97]

There are hearing offices downtown Chicago, Evanston, Orland Park and Oak Brook. Does he have a name or description of the ALJ?

[HiTech RedNeck]

As best I know, downtown Chicago

[HiTech RedNeck]

It’s one of these law firms that went advertising for prospective clients on a contingency.

[smoothsailing]

Well, if they don’t get paid unless he gets paid the chances they’ll pursue an appeal are high.

[ConorMacNessa]

Disabled Vet ping.

Marijuana use is still a Federal offense. If a Federal Judge, ALJ or Hearing Officer made such a recommendation, he should be removed from office immediately.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[HiTech RedNeck]

OK, who’s the remover?

Do we have to call Lurker?

[ConorMacNessa]

The Vet's attorney would be the logical first choice.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[Jet Jaguar]

Veterans ping.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Some kind of filing with the circuit court of jurisdiction charging improper conduct? I don’t know how this works. It sounded like this firm told my buddy to load for squirrel, not bear.

[ConorMacNessa]

There is a procedure for lodging ethical complaints against judges just as there is for lawyers. Admittedly, the judges close ranks much more than the lawyers can - it's tough to bring one down. But if he did this, he's almost certainly done something similar before. It may take a while, but if the word gets out it should eventually bear fruit.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[Prov1322]

Up until 10 years ago I had participated in approximately 2,000 OHA hearings as an Expert Witness. Only one time did I hear anything as bizarre as that statement and it was from a “visiting” ALJ.

SSD was a program with right intentions but over the course of time has become way too politicized and entrenched to properly adjudicate.

Your friend will eventually prevail but they hope he will go away before then.